Vehicle-step.



G. P. H. NELSON.

VEHICLE STEP. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10, 1909.

Patented Aug. 2, 1910.

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G. P. H. NELSON.

VEHICLE STEP. APPLIOATIOH nun mm 10, 1909.

Patented Aug. 2, 1910.

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GEORGE P. H. NELSON, OF LAKE PROVIDENCE, LQUISIANA.

VEHICLE-STEP.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE P. H. NEL- soN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Lake Providence, in the parish of East Carroll andState of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVehicle-Steps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vehicle steps and consists broadly in theprovision of a step which when in operative position projects from avehicle or similar support in the customary manner and to facilitateentrance to or mounting the vehicle, but which is adapted to be arrangedin an inoperative position, wherein it is out of the way and does notform a projecting part. A step of such construction is especiallyadvantageous for use on vehicles that have to travel over deep ruts,stumps of trees, or similar obstacles, since there is no likelihood ofhanging the step or breaking the same.

In a further adaptation of the invention, the same comprises a stepconstructed so as to automatically assume an inoperative position afterit has been used, and for purposes before referred to.

A step embodying the invention is also of great advantage for use onroad or similar machines where several steps are required, and becausethe present step construction permits of the inoperative adjustment ofthe device.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the invention applied to the sideportion of a buggy, the step being disposed in inoperative posit-ion andshown in dotted lines in operative position; Fig. 2 is a verticalsectional view; Fig. 3 is a side elevation, the step being shown inoperative position, or depressed; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 -4of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a. side view of the guide block; Fig. 6 is a sideelevation, shown partly in section, of a modification; Fig. 7 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 6 and of another modification; Fig. 8 is a top View ofone of the bracket supports for the step; and Fig. 9 is a side elevationof the guide block used in the construction illustrated in Fig. 7.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. June 10, 1909.

Patented Au 2, 1910.

Serial No. 501,386.

Similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout thedescription and draw lngs.

In the drawings the numeral 1 denotes the side of a buggy or any otherequivalent support and on which the step comprising the invention ismounted. The step consists of a tubular supporting member 2 secured tothe vehicle 1 by means of brackets 3 and in said tubular member 2 ismounted the steprod 4, having at the upper end thereof a handle 5.formed with the step arm 6 or tread-piece, the rod 4 being of asufficient length to permit of considerable vertical movement of thetread-piece 6 or step proper.

On the rod or standard 4 is mounted a guide block 7 which slidesvertically in the tubular member 2 and which is held in place on thestandard 4 by keys 8 passing through said standard. The standard 4 isrotatable with respect to the parts 2 and 7 and connected with the guideblock 7 is a spring 9 arranged in a casing 10 on the cap 2 of the member2, said spring normally tending to hold the guide block and standard 4connected therewith in an uppermost position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 andwherein the step 6 is inoperatively arranged, being turned rearwardly sothat it will project beneath the support 1 and out of the way. Thetubular supporting member 2 has a spiral slot 11 in its side andprojecting laterally from the standard 4 is a pin 12 that operates inthe slot 11, and whereby when the spring 9 pulls the parts 4 and 7upwardly the standard 4 will be rotated and the position of the step 6reversed from that assumed thereby when operatively disposed. The guidemember 7 does not rotate though the standard 4 turns therein and forthis reason said member 7 is formed with a spiral slot 7 in a sidethereof permitting the pin 12 to turn the standard 4 in the use of thedevice.

In using the invention, the standard 4 is depressed by the hand, orotherwise, and as it moves downwardly it is caused to turn and throw thestep 6 into its projecting operative position as seen in dotted lines inFig. 1. When pressure on the standard 4 is relieved the step isautomatically returned to its inoperative position by the spring 9.

At its lower end, the rod 4 is In Fig. 6 is illustrated a modificationin which a coiled spring 9 is employed in connection with the otherparts of the invention to force the standard 4 upwardly to automaticallythrow the step into an inoperative position. The said spring 9 isarranged in the tubular member 2, being interposed between the bottom ofsaid member and the under side of the guide block on the standard 4.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 7 the automatic means forrendering the step inoperative is dispensed with. In this instance, thestandard 4 is free to gravitate to its lower position wherein the stepprojects into operative position. When, however, it is not desired touse the step, the standard 4 is raised and locked in its uppermostposition, with the step 6 inoperatively disposed, by means of a catch 13on the member 2, said catch being adapted to engage in a notch 7 in theguide block 7 as shown in Figs. 7 and 9. All that is necessary in orderto drop the step in the construction of Fig. 7 is to pull outwardly onthe catch 13.

It is to be understood that the construction of the parts which supportthe step may be modified considerably in carrying out the invention andI am not limited to the details of structure hereinbefore described andset forth in accomplishing the desired results to be attained incarrying out the operation of the invention.

As shown in Fig. 6 the upper end of the standard 4 may be ointed topermit of turn ing the same downwardly into an unobtrusive position whenthe step is raised.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Incombination, a tubular supporting member, a standard vertically slidabletherein, a head on the standard and in the supporting member, a coiledspring interposed between said head and the lower portion of thesupporting member and normally tend ing to force the standard upwardly,a step projecting laterally from the lower end of the standard, theupper end of the standard being movable into a position above thetubular supporting member and forming a handle for operating the step,and a spiral slot and pin connection between the head and the supportingmember for causing ro tation of the step and the standard as the lattermoves upwardly.

2. In combination, a supporting member, a step mounted thereon forvertical movement, spring means normally holding said step at theuppermost limit of its movement, and a spiral slot and pin connectionbetween the step and the supporting member for turning the step into anon-projecting position when it moves upwardly.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE P. H. NELSON.

WVitnesses:

W. E. DUNN, J. C. Boss, Jr.

